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Can you tell me about the process of receiving an interview via cold email to a higher up? Did he just ask if you want to interview or did you ask if you could interview?
Latter. Sent a resume as well. Response rate is usually low, unless you have a solid bg.
Thanks. And one follow up question (and a SB), did you have a call with him first and then ask, or just straight up in your email ask if you could interview?
This happened at my firm this recruiting season. A candidate reached out to one of our senior partners and was able to get involved in our process. He cold emailed me for an informational coffee before his interview. I was okay with it. Other folks might react differently. I don't see anything negative coming from it if you're polite and professional.
I'd advise against this. Reaching out to former employees via LinkedIn is much better (you'll be surprised how many are willing to pick up the phone and help you for 10-15 minutes).
The reason I advise against this is it becomes very hard to objectively interview someone who you've helped with the process and you may be viewed as rooting for a candidate even if you don't particularly believe they're strong (you just chose to help). It puts the candidate in a weird spot because they may think you're championing their cause within the firm when you really may not be. It's just a weird relationship and I prefer not to speak to anyone we've explicitly asked to come in and interview.
People are different of course and some like the prior poster are ok with it, but personally I'm not.
I don't think its necessarily a bad idea. I worked at a mega fund and would say it would not make a difference. If this is a smaller firm and they aren't interviewing 100 people, then it might help you know feel more comfortable with the team.
It is a risky play because if you come across as annoying they will ding you. On the other hand, it shows interest.
If you historically have had an easy time fitting into groups and reading cultures I would say that this isn't a terrible idea as one of the associates might tell you something helpful. However you need to be self aware enough to lay off if the current team isn't receptive to your outreach
Contacting Alumni - Contacting associates and up? (Originally Posted: 07/24/2006)
Sorry if this is an ignorant question, but does it help to contact recent alumni who are currently analysts? Do they have any say in recruitment, or who gets interviews?
Or is it much more prudent to contact associates and up?
Any advice would be helpful, thanks.
bump
contact anyone with whom you have a connection. junior folks are best to contact first, as their information can help when dealing with more senior contacts
yes...it helps to contact anyone/everyone. words get around the office more often than you'd think
Anyone know of any good ib firms in minnesota- I know of piper obviously and goldsmith as well as Harris Williams just opened an office- any others I am leaving out?
Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin has an office in Minneapolis. They have a relatively lax corporate lifestyle.
Are you referring to HLHZ in Minneapolis, or in general? Because HLHZ is a sweatshop.
how helpful would it be to contact ex-bankers, like people who are now financial advisors at that firm (Merrill)
bump
Contact associate before internship (Originally Posted: 10/17/2013)
I'm starting an IB SA stint in December (Southern hemisphere summer) and I just got the official welcome email with initial instructions.
I want to reach out to an associate I interviewed with who I got along well with, asking for general advice before the internship (ie is there anything I should do to prepare). This is partly because I genuinely want the information and partly because I want to reconnect/get back on his radar now that the internship is approaching.
Is this inappropriate in any way? I don't think so, but wanted to make sure.
Yeah, I also don't see why it would be inappropriate in any way. He will probably be happy to catch up.
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